Frances Ferdinands

Biography

Born in Sri Lanka, Frances Ferdinands is a Toronto-based Canadian artist. She received a degree in Visual Art from York University, and a Teaching degree from the University of Toronto. She also holds an A.R.C.T. from in Royal Conservatory of Music in Classical Piano.

As a young art student, she was a recognized Toronto author. In 1973 she co-edited the book ECLECTIC EVE, a collection of over 50 interviews with Toronto Women artists. This book was thought to be “deserving of many laurels” for its style and contribution to the celebration of primarily unknown artists. Noted American Art Historian and Contemporary Art Critic Lucy Lippard wrote, “ECLECTIC EVE” is a book I’ve often used and much enjoyed. I wish other cities would do the same.”

Ms. Ferdinands has exhibited her paintings for over two decades in group and solo exhibitions in such diverse places as Paris, Honolulu, Bogota, the Continental U.S.A. and across Canada. She is the recipient of many Grants from the Ontario Arts Council, and the Canada Council, and her work has been purchased for inclusion in corporate, public, and private collections.

Ferdinands draws inspiration from thoughts, emotions, and occurrences that spring from her daily life. As well, her paintings often express her concerns for the social and environmental conditions/situations of post-modern society. Her work is generally created in “series”, that have a specific thematic focus, such as isolation ( ADRIFT), WAR, FASHION/ART, and most recently FOOD FOR THOUGHT. Her images, often a mix of contemporary and historical source material, are arresting juxtapositions, infused with humor, irony, metaphor, and spirituality.

Virginia Eichhorn, Curator of the 2006 Exhibition, BY APPEARANCES , at the University of Waterloo Art Gallery, writes…….. “Frances Ferdinands’ work is characterized by technical facility, richness of colour and breadth of vision. Whether drawing inspiration from the natural world, the annals of art history or interior reflections, Ferdinands creates vistas that engage and draw the viewer close. Her work is compelling and full of detail – symbolic and technical. She addresses subjects of profound universal significance yet does so through personal metaphor and imagery. Engagement with Ferdinands’ paintings is always a satisfying and enriching encounter.”

Solo Exhibitions

2008      “FOOD FOR THOUGHT” ARTSPlace, Ananpolis Royal, Nova Scotia

2004      “EMBODIED IDEALS” Buffalo Arts Studio, Buffalo, New York

2003      “EMBODIED IDEALS PREVIEW” Gladstone Hotel Ballroom, Toronto, ONTARIO
           “ADRIFT” Kelowna Art Gallery, Kelowna, British Colombia

2001      “ADRIFT” MacDonnell Gallery, Toronto, Ontario

2000      “ADRIFT” Gallery Lambton, Sarnia, Ontario
           “PALM BREEZE” Ka ‘Ikena Gallery, Kapi’olani College, Honolulu, HI

1997      Gallery 13, Rocky Neck Art Colony, Gloucester, MA

1991      Kenneith Gallery, Sarnia, Ontario

1990      “FRANCES FERDINANDS 1983-1989” Gallery Lambton, Sarnia, Ontario

1988      “URBAN/ NATURE” Albert White Gallery, Toronto, Ontario

1987      “MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLERS” Galerie Arpege, Collingwood, Ontario

1986      “MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLERS” Albert White Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
           “WAR” La Centrale (formerly Powerhouse) Montreal, Quebec

1985      “WAR” Kozak Gallery, Toronto, Ontario

1982      Merton Gallery, Toronto, Ontario

1981      “SOLITARY WOMEN” Merton Gallery, Toronto, Ontario

Two-Person Exhibitions

2007      “FOOD FOR THOUGHT” Propeller Art Centre, Toronto, Ontario

2006      “BY APPEARANCES” University of Waterloo Art Gallery, Waterloo, Ontario

Selected Group Exhibitions

2007      “DOUBLE DATE” (Tableau Vivant Performance) Lennox Contempoary, Toronto, Ontario

2006       “ANTHROPOMORPHISM” WomanMade Gallery, Chicago, IL
           “DOUBLE DATE” (Tableau Vivant Performance) A.K.A. Gallery, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

2005       “NORD – SUD” Galeria Carrion Vivar, Bogota, Columbia
           “GO FIGURE” Latcham Gallery, Stouffville, Ontario

2004      “FABRICATIONS” WomanMade Gallery, Chicago, IL

2001      “THE NEW SPIRIT OF ONTARIO” Lieutenant Governor’s Suite, Queen’s Park, Toronto, Ontario

1997      Granite Shore Gallery, Rockport, MA

1996      “HERITAGE PARK COLLECTION” Gallery Lambton, Sarnia, Ontario

1993      Passions Gallery, Provincetown, MA

1992      “ART CONTEMPORAIN DU CANADA” Galerie Ader Tajan, Paris, France
           “BEYOND TIME & CIRCUMSTANCE” Lynnwood Artts Centre, Simcoe, Ontario

1990      “CONTEMPORARY REALISM” Art Gallery of Northumberland, Cobourg, Ontario

1987      “FIGURATIVE IMPACT” Lynnwood Arts Centre, Simcoe, Ontario

1986      “MP’S CHOICE” Byward Market Gallery, Ottawa, Ontario

1985      “OLD WARS BY YOUNG ARTISTS” Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa, Ontario

[top]

Source: Diamond-Newman Fine Arts LLC has sourced this information from the artist. This information is solely for historical perspective and we can not guarantee the comprehensivenessor complete accuracy of this information since we did not directly comprise the historical log of the artist's shows ourselves. Exhibition information should not be a basis for purchasing artwork.

[top]